Cefntilla Court
An article in the Sunday Times this week (11th March 2012) reported that the above property near Usk in Monmouthshire is up for sale with 63.5 acres for £2M.
The house contains a painted 17thC chimney piece and 16thC frieze from nearby Raglan Castle, home of the celebrated Lord Raglan who was the trusted right-hand man of the Duke of Wellington. He gave his name to The Raglan Jacket with loose fitting sleeves, based on the one his tailor made specially for him after having his right arm amputated after the battle of Waterloo. He later went on to lead the ill-fated Charge of the Light Brigade in the Crimea in 1854.
His sons and heirs have owned Cefntilla ever since then and I was interested to read that ” a large drawing room looks out over the immaculate landscaped gardens, with a pond, an ornamental bridge and a row of yew topiary clipped into apple and pear shapes.” There is also an arboretum with enormous wellingtonias which links back in neatly with the Iron Duke.
Has anyone ever visited this garden or know more ?
This post was submitted by webberr.
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2 Comments » 
We know it well. Can we help?
I visited Cefntilla several years ago for a Send A Cow charity event. I live only a few miles away so a familiar with the estate and the good name that Lord Raglan had locally.
The house has a well proportioned solid and homely feel to it set amongst well tendered and understated grounds. However the main highlights were the fabulous collection of cars in particular his collection of Bugattis and I seem to remember a gorgeous Rolls Royce too. The cars were lined up on the gravel drive in front of the house. It was such an honour to see them. The late Lord Raglan was highly regarded locally and he did so much to help local charities. His families collection of war memorabilia which goes back to the Crimean war is now for sale as well as the ancestral home. I believe the cars have been sold too. It seems to be the end of an era which is tinged with sadness by the local community and I’m sure anyone who had connections to Cefntilla.
Sorry to not provide much information regarding the garden specifically but I do remember that it was a very special place and felt that Lord Raglan was a charming and modest and much loved man. It seems that the house and garden will be remembered more for the family who made it their home for centuries rather than the gardens themselves, although they are of note to horticulturists. The new owner will have a lot to live up to.